Q & A

M.C. of Montreal, Quebec writes:

Hello and thank you for taking the time for this appraisal. This is some sort of a vase I suspect?? It is made of a metal (not sure what kind), it is quite heavy, perhaps over 5 pounds. There are 8 bulges that are in a silver color and that protrude from the vase (see photos). The dimensions are as follows (Height, Width, Length): H: just under 6 inches; W: 6 1/2 inches at widest; L: 6 inches. On the underside there is a date inscribed as: "1733" (see photos attached). I know that it has been in the family for over 50 years, belonged to my Grandmother - who lived in the city of Dubrovnik, Croatia (Dubrovnik which was known as The Republic of Ragusa until 1808). Considering Ragusa was a Maritime Republic, this vase(?) could have come from anywhere!

We asked Morris Zimelstern to respond:

Your vase looks like case iron with silver colour applied to the surface. The number is a design reference number, but it is impossible for me to give you a value or date without examining the item.